Pregnant mare w/ scratches -- what works best?

[draftxfan]

My lovely girl, who's just about six months along, came in late last week with her right hind looking like a tree trunk to just above the hock. The regular vet came out, confirmed my tentative diagnosis of scratches, clipped both pasterns (she's a draft cross, but with only moderate feathers), and prescribed a small dose of Banamine for a few days as well as topical Animax. She's still looking pretty stocked up and rather sore, but all the secret remedies I know of contain even higher concentrations of steroids or other undesirable ingredients.

I just this minute called my repro vet, and she recommended washing with ChlorhexiDerm shampoo, leaving it on for ten minutes, and drying well.

Any other tips from mare owners who've been through this? Thanks a million, in advance.

[Alexie]

is scratches the same as mud fever? i'm in the UK :o

if it is, then i've had success treating a stubborn case by
washing in as hot water as he'll stand with hibiscrub (a specific washing product used by vets ) once a week
dry thoroughly
apply aqueous cream (with tea tree oil added once a week ) every day-not washing every day just applying it on top of old stuff

it's done a great job for my boy :)

[okggo]

IF it is scratches, desitin - applied THICK and daily, will start to show an improvement within a week. If it goes beyond that, there are a TON of things that manifest themselves and are diagnosed as "Scratches" but may infact be other ailments. The scrubbing, etc can actually do harm. Search it in Horse Care.

I had a terrible vet-diagnosed case of "scratches" this year that ended up being a photosensitivity reaction to alfalfa hay. Let me tell you how terrible I felt for the weeks of scrubbing sore and raw legs only to find out all I needed to do was pull the hay. If it wasn't for COTH I never would have tried that, vets are clueless.

[Sakura]

Start feeding her grape seed extract (Meaty Ogre suggested this)... it has copious amounts of Vit C+E, mega antioxidants. You can get it here... http://www.herbalcom.com/

My pregnant mare is prone to scratches and grape seed extract (GSE) has helped her heal, she has not had a reoccurrence in months... While you are waiting for the GSE to work from the inside treat her scratches externally with an iodine scrub, allow the scrub to sit for a while.... long enough to soften the scabs. Peel as many of the scabs off, soap up leg again with iodine scrub. Rinse. DRY COMPLEATLY. Cover COMPLEATLY DRY affected area with diaper rash ointment. Repeat once daily until scratches are gone.

[Equilibrium]

is scratches the same as mud fever? i'm in the UK :o

if it is, then i've had success treating a stubborn case by
washing in as hot water as he'll stand with hibiscrub (a specific washing product used by vets ) once a week
dry thoroughly
apply aqueous cream (with tea tree oil added once a week ) every day-not washing every day just applying it on top of old stuff

it's done a great job for my boy :)


I do the EXACT same thing here in Ireland and I have to say the results have been amazing this year.

Usually we scrub and treat, repeat, repeat, repeat. But this year we did it once weekly instead without taking all the scabs off. In 2 weeks time, the scabs starting falling off themselves with nice healthy pink skin and hair growth underneath. I think in the past I've been too impatient and just wanted them better.

Also, coming into the dry at night was really helping.

Terri

[Edgewood]

I got rid of scratches on my prego mare by first washing the area with a mild soap (if legs were muddy or dirty), and then applying/scrubbing with 2% chlorhexidine (very thoroughly) and then drying really well. I did this for a few days in a row. I did not rinse of the chlorhexidine, just dried it off. Scabs fell off and it healed immediately.

[camohn]

FYI I believe chlorhexiderm, hibistat, hibiclens, hibiscrub, and novalsan are all brand names for chlorhexidine

[Equilibrium]

I also forgot to mention, in the paper a couple of months ago and article explained how Aqueaous cream was the only cream people should be using instead of all the big fancy expensive stuff. I was like nooooooo. Sure enough when I went to the chemist, they were out. Took a while to restock the shelves.

Terri

[Easton]

I used to own a TB that was PRONE (or continuously covered) with scratches. Original vet prescribed Animax. I spent a fortune on the stuff. New VET who is also THE MOST incredible VET in the world clients include
(Debbie Gibson, Ainsley Vince...etc...oh and me!!!) recommended THIS.....

Malaseb Shampoo...Medicated Shampoo Formulation for Dogs, Cats, and Horses. It used to be by prescription only but now I see it EVERYWHERE. Even just your regular pet store. Call around and find it. It's made by IVX Animal Health, Inc. St. Joseph, MO 64503. If you can't find it I'll buy you some and mail it to you!!!!

"Wet the infected area thoroughly with water. Apply and lather Malaseb Shampoo over the entire area, allowing 10 minutes of contact time. DO NOT ALLOW ANIMAL TO LICK WHILE BATHING TO PREVENT INGESTION"

You will be amazed...Literally instant relief and results. The Animax can apparently actually aggrevate the scratches more. I'm not a vet but I believe because of the base that it's in. Malaseb will take care of your problem....and NO I don't work for the company!!! Only have first hand experience with it and it works EVERY time. I tell EVERYONE and they always thank me later.

Good luck.

[Hocus Focus]

Many moons ago, I was told... get a kotex napkin, clean general area first and remove what hair you can, then put a good gob of antiseptic salve on the pad and tie around the pastern. Let it stay on. If it collects a lot of dirt, remove, and clean, reapply and stay at it for a week perhaps and then it will be gone. That works in the north and we have lots of wet and mud to deal with here. The napkins seem to be made for the job. I found they worked great. I laughed when I was told but not after... it works.

Odd thing about scratches which not sure if it is true or its a wives tail, but once a horse has it in a certain area (turn out), other horses turned out there will be more prone to catch it. Not sure if this is truth or fiction.

[ThreeDays]

I have a broodmare who is also prone to scratches on her hind legs.

I've tried all kinds of shampoos, soaks, wraps, etc. She would clear up only briefly but always had thickened skin and remnants from the infections. Now completely cleared up for the first time in several years.

This is what has worked for me and it's simple. A product called 'dermal Aid'. It's kind of a greasy liquid topical. Inexpensive at $14/ bottle. And you likely won't need more than one bottle unless its a very large area or the mare has lots of fur.

Simply apply it to the areas and message in and leave on. The scabs will soften and you can slowly remove them with gentle rubbing with a towel and then reapply daily. Takes about 3 days or so to clear up. The greasey base stays on in all turnout conditions and is non-irritating. And best of all doesn't need to be wrapped and no intense bathing regime.

This has worked best for me since my mare tends to get this condition in cold moist winter conditions and again in the spring 'thaw'.

After the scabs are softened and removed over a few days. Continue applying for an additional day or two to keep new skin protected.

http://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productclassid=1325&cmPreserveSource=true&cmPreserveCategory=true

[Alexie]

I also forgot to mention, in the paper a couple of months ago and article explained how Aqueaous cream was the only cream people should be using instead of all the big fancy expensive stuff. I was like nooooooo. Sure enough when I went to the chemist, they were out. Took a while to restock the shelves.

Terri

I saw that article too. I started using aqueous cream because i'd run out of sudorem :lol: only to find out that it works so much better than anything else i've tried.
I'm made up with it :yes: